The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 42 suspected drug traffickers and destroyed 10 cannabis farms covering 3.69 hectares in the state. The arrests were made in September, and the destroyed farms had an estimated yield of 9,248.2575 kg of cannabis. The NDLEA commander in Edo, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this while presenting the command's operational achievements for the month.
According to Ofoyeju, 20 males and 22 females were among those arrested, highlighting the growing involvement of women in illicit drug trafficking in the state. The NDLEA seized 271.92348 kg of illicit substances during the period, comprising 245.29 kg of cannabis sativa, 25.97 kg of psychotropic substances, and 0.66 kg of methamphetamine, as well as 62.6 litres of codeine syrup.
The operations were carried out through intelligence-led enforcement activities mandated by Mohamed Buba Marwa, chairman and chief executive officer of the NDLEA. Ofoyeju also disclosed the arrest of Gospel Mudiaga Odeh, also known as Omega, a suspected notorious drug trafficker, alongside his 26-year-old sales girl, Ojugo Mercy. Odeh narrowly escaped arrest and was subsequently declared wanted by the agency.
The NDLEA commander said that 65 grams of cannabis, N1.16 million, and 55 Ethiopian birr were recovered from a black Toyota Matrix left behind by Odeh and documented as exhibits. Other substances recovered from the suspects included 989 grams of Loud, 13 grams of Colorado, and 83 grams of methamphetamine. The vehicle, drugs, and money recovered in connection with the case had been confiscated as exhibits.
On cannabis cultivation, Ofoyeju said the command destroyed 10 farms spanning 3.69 hectares, with estimated yields ranging from 170.0275 kg to 2,042.87 kg. The farms were located in various areas, including Monday Camp, Ovia South-West, Igwe-Oke Community Forest, Owan East, Okagboro Forest, Owan West, Ukporwoya Forest, Owan West, and Eko Camp, Illushi, in Esan South-East Local Government Area.
The NDLEA commander's efforts demonstrate the agency's continued focus on drug supply reduction, rehabilitation, and substance abuse prevention through intelligence-led enforcement. The destruction of the cannabis farms and arrest of suspects are part of the agency's efforts to curb the growing involvement of women in illicit drug trafficking in the state.
The Edo State Command of the NDLEA will continue to work towards reducing the supply of illicit substances and preventing substance abuse in the state. The agency's efforts have led to the seizure of a significant amount of illicit substances and the destruction of large cannabis farms, dealing a blow to drug traffickers in the state.
Key points
- 42 suspects arrested, 10 cannabis farms destroyed in Edo state.
- NDLEA seizes 271.92348 kg of illicit substances in September.
- Cannabis farms had an estimated yield of 9,248.2575 kg.
